A PUBLISHING tycoon has left his $1.2 billion company to his lover and cut his sons and ex-wife out of his will, it was reported.
M. Richard Robinson Jr, the head of Scholastic Corp which publishes the Harry Potter books, died suddenly in June while out on a walk in Martha’s Vineyard.
He is survived by his two sons Maurice 'Reece' Robinson, 25, and 34-year-old John Benham 'Ben' Robinson, and his ex-wife Helen Benham, who is their mother.
But the 84-year-old has left the company to Iole Lucchese, the company's strategy officer, who family members and former employees describe as his lover, The Wall Street Journal reports.
She has also inherited all his personal possessions, according to his 2018 will, which the paper says it has reviewed.
Robinson described the 54-year-old Lucchese as “my partner and closest friend” in the document.
The situation has reportedly left some family members unhappy and they are reviewing their legal options.
The late tycoon’s youngest son Reece Robinson said his father’s decision to give control of his personal effects to Lucchese was “unexpected and shocking.”
“What I want most is an amicable outcome,” the documentary filmmaker said.
'UNEXPECTED AND SHOCKING'
He revealed he had not heard Lucchese’s voice until a phone call with family to discuss his father’s last week.
Ben Robinson said when he grasped his father’s estate plans it “served as salt in an open wound”.
M. Richard Robinson Jr. and his ex-wife met the at the company and married in 1986 but divorced in 2003 though they rekindled their friendship during the pandemic.
Lucchese who was named chairman of Scholastic’s board in mid-July, declined to comment.
Scholastic has been a source of books and educational materials for generations of students and teachers,
It is behind well-known titles like ‘The Hunger Games’ series, ‘Captain Underpants’ and the various ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ books, as well as the ‘Harry Potter’ books.
Lucchese joined Scholastic Canada in 1991 as an associate editor in book clubs. She first gained prominence as co-president of Scholastic’s Canada operations.
She rose through the ranks if its US operations and she was named chief strategy officer in 2014.
“Iole has a long record of pursuing innovation, focusing on the needs of customers, and ultimately strengthening the Scholastic brand,” said a company spokeswoman.
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